Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Charlottesville, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Charlottesville, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,392 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,320 in Charlottesville, VA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,557 in Ubud, Bali versus $4,937 in Charlottesville, VA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,723 in Ubud, Bali versus $6,554 in Charlottesville, VA.

Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 58% less than in Charlottesville, VA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ubud, Bali 5% above, Charlottesville, VA 149% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Charlottesville, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.57 Rp 64.5K
$22.35 $22.35
-84.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.32 Rp 583.4K
$120 $120
-73.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.01 Rp 90.4K
$13.17 $13.17
-61.96%
Cappuccino
$2.82 Rp 51.0K
$5.27 $5.27
-46.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 Rp 24.4K
$2.76 $2.76
-51.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 Rp 13.2K
$1.95 $1.95
-62.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.93 Rp 53.0K
$6.02 $6.02
-51.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94 Rp 71.1K
$5.85 $5.85
-32.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Charlottesville, VA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.78 Rp 32.1K
$1.17 $1.17
52.14%
White Bread (500g)
$2.45 Rp 44.2K
$3.51 $3.51
-30.20%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.15 Rp 20.7K
$6.97 $6.97
-83.50%
Eggs
$2.41 Rp 43.6K
$5.86 $5.86
-58.87%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 Rp 258.7K
$19.19 $19.19
-25.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.19 Rp 75.6K
$20.18 $20.18
-79.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.06 Rp 217.7K
$17.67 $17.67
-31.75%
Apples (1kg)
$3.64 Rp 65.7K
$7.72 $7.72
-52.85%
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
$2.94 $2.94
-46.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.79 Rp 50.3K
$7.86 $7.86
-64.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 Rp 40.5K
$10.87 $10.87
-79.39%
Potato (1kg)
$1.98 Rp 35.7K
$4.82 $4.82
-58.92%
Onion (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 41.1K
$3.61 $3.61
-36.84%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.05 Rp 19.0K
$2.75 $2.75
-61.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
$3.25 $3.25
-75.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.19 Rp 57.6K
$7.95 $7.95
-59.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.49 Rp 424.1K
$15.80 $15.80
48.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.90 Rp 52.3K
$1.77 $1.77
63.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 Rp 49.7K
$3.71 $3.71
-25.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Charlottesville, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,813
$1.95 $1.95
-86.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.37 Rp 151.1K
$151 $151
-94.46%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.45 Rp 8,167
$4.39 $4.39
-89.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.46 Rp 8,298
$2.44 $2.44
-81.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.07 Rp 109.6K
$28.63 $28.63
-78.80%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 Rp 15.6K
$0.87 $0.87
-1.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K Rp 480.0M
$26.7K $26.7K
-0.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5K Rp 587.6M
$25.1K $25.1K
29.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Charlottesville, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$79.0 Rp 1.4M
$287 $287
-72.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.09 Rp 73.9K
$52.9 $52.9
-92.26%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.85 Rp 430.5K
$112 $112
-78.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Charlottesville, VA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.8 Rp 1.8M
$72.0 $72.0
37.23%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.35 Rp 114.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.01 Rp 72.3K
$15.19 $15.19
-73.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Charlottesville, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$297 Rp 5.4M
$1,442 $1,442
-79.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,602 Rp 119.2M
$23.4K $23.4K
-71.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Charlottesville, VA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 Rp 964.5K
$47.27 $47.27
13.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.11 Rp 688.1K
$47.95 $47.95
-20.52%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.7 Rp 1.6M
$93.9 $93.9
-5.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.6 Rp 1.4M
$122 $122
-37.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Charlottesville, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,020 Rp 18.4M
$1,825 $1,825
-44.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$680 Rp 12.3M
$1,568 $1,568
-56.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,469 Rp 62.6M
$2,927 $2,927
18.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,090 Rp 37.7M
$2,647 $2,647
-21.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,729 Rp 49.3M
$2,751 $2,751
-0.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,295 Rp 41.4M
$2,822 $2,822
-18.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Charlottesville, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$164 Rp 3.0M
$4,585 $4,585
-96.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
6.32
110.13%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 2026

Last update for Charlottesville, VA: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,020 in Ubud, Bali and $1,825 in Charlottesville, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Charlottesville, VA pays 2701% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $32.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $120 in Charlottesville, VA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $298 vs $571 per month, with Ubud, Bali cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Ubud, Bali vs Charlottesville, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ubud, Bali and in Charlottesville, VA?
Ubud, Bali and Charlottesville, VA differ by about 139% in total monthly costs ($1,392 vs $3,320 including rent). Ubud, Bali is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 2701% lower in Charlottesville, VA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Ubud, Bali and in Charlottesville, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,020 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,825 in Charlottesville, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali – a meal for two runs $32.00 versus $120 in Charlottesville, VA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ubud, Bali or Charlottesville, VA?
All in, you'll spend $1,392 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $3,320 in Charlottesville, VA – a 139% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,392 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,320 in Charlottesville, VA, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Charlottesville, VA. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Charlottesville, VA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Ubud, Bali or Charlottesville, VA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Charlottesville, VA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Ubud, Bali or Charlottesville, VA?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 139% less than in Charlottesville, VA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities